BUFORD, Ga. — Three student chamber ensembles from Buford City Schools have been invited to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, one of the most prestigious professional music education events in Georgia.
The selected ensembles represent both Buford High School and Buford Middle School, highlighting the strength, consistency and long-term development of the district’s band and orchestra programs. Chosen through a highly competitive, juried selection process, the groups will perform for an audience of music educators, conductors and clinicians from across the state.
“Being selected to perform at GMEA is one of the highest forms of recognition a school music program can receive in Georgia,” said Kathy Mason, director of bands at Buford Middle School. “It affirms that the work happening every day in our rehearsal rooms across grade levels is meeting the highest artistic and educational standards.”
Mason said the invitation reflects more than individual ensemble achievement and points to a shared vision across the district’s music programs.
“For Buford, it reinforces that our programs are not only strong individually, but aligned in vision, instruction and expectations from middle school through high school,” she said.
Selected ensembles
The invited ensembles include the Buford High School Violin Quartet, the Buford High School Woodwind Octet and the Buford Middle School Saxophone Quartet.
The Buford High School Violin Quartet is instructed by orchestra teacher Tori Enloe and includes seniors Victoria Kil and Hannah Oh, sophomore Chaewon Lee and freshman Ayush Nagaraj.
The Buford High School Woodwind Octet is a student-led ensemble composed of students across multiple grade levels and woodwind disciplines. Members include Hannah Jung and Miley Kim on flute; Elizabeth Jung on oboe; Tanama Quiles-Torres on bassoon; Jonathan Lee on clarinet; Johana Head on bass clarinet; Julian Esquivel on alto saxophone; and Nathan Beltrán-Chavez on baritone saxophone. Junior Zoë Edmondson serves as the ensemble’s conductor.
The Buford Middle School Saxophone Quartet is instructed by saxophone teacher Jeremy Edmondson and includes eighth-graders Christopher Smith and Nathan Yun on alto saxophone, Rowan Moon on tenor saxophone and Mack Irwin on baritone saxophone.
Competitive selection process
According to Mason, the selection process draws submissions from outstanding school ensembles across Georgia, with only a limited number selected each year.
“What set these groups apart was a combination of musical maturity, attention to detail and a clear sense of ensemble identity,” Mason said. “The performances reflected not just technical excellence, but thoughtful interpretation and a deep understanding of the music.”
Mason said having both middle and high school ensembles selected in the same year underscores the district’s long-term, intentional approach to music education.
“It shows that we are building musicians over time, with a shared philosophy and high expectations at every level,” she said. “This kind of vertical alignment doesn’t happen by accident — it’s the result of dedicated students, supportive families and a district that values arts education.”
Meaningful experience for students
Mason said performing for an audience of music educators carries special significance for students, placing their work in a professional context beyond a traditional school concert.
“These are educators who recognize the discipline, growth and collaboration behind the performance,” she said. “It elevates the experience from simply playing a concert to contributing to a professional conversation about music education.”
She added that the students’ approach to preparation and teamwork makes the achievement especially meaningful.
“What makes me most proud is not just how well they play, but how they approach the work with focus, humility and a genuine commitment to excellence,” Mason said. “They represent Buford with professionalism, kindness and pride, and they understand that this honor reflects not only individual talent, but the collective effort of a community that believes in them.”
